With 50,000 students, 8,000 faculty and staff, and 96,000 alumni, The University of Texas at Austin follows the rule that everything is bigger in Texas. But as these photos illustrate, the UT community could hardly be closer-knit.

Thanks to the Daily Texan, UT Athletics, and The Alcalde‘s trusty freelancers for sharing some of the year’s best Texas photos with us. It’s impossible to look at these gorgeous shots without marveling at UT’s diversity. At the same time, we think the moments— joyful and solemn, quotidian and exceptional—captured here show how all Longhorns are united by a big dose of Texas pride.

A tilt-shift version of the 2011 Explore UT Class Photo. (Marsha Miller)

Business senior Gurjit Singh wraps a turban on business honors freshman Shaan Patel’s head on the West Mall. The “Tie a Turban” event raised money and awareness for the Sikh Students’ Association. (Amanda Martin/Daily Texan)

Texas Wranglers* at the Torchlight Parade before the OU game. (Patrick Meredith/UT Athletics)

An original dress from the 1939 film Gone With the Windundergoes conservation at the Ransom Center. (Kae Wang/The Alcalde)